Speed will get second chance to manage

GARY Speed's first taste of senior management fell foul of the weather this week when Bolton's reserve game against Manchester United at Altrincham was postponed. But Phil Brown, Bolton's assistant manager, has promised there will be another chance for the 35-year-old former captain of Wales.

GARY Speed's first taste of senior management fell foul of the weather this week when Bolton's reserve game against Manchester United at Altrincham was postponed.

But Phil Brown, Bolton's assistant manager, has promised there will be another chance for the 35-year-old former captain of Wales.

The super-fit Speed wants to be a boss one day but not until his legs tell him his playing days are over and that doesn't look imminent.

Speed had been given the chance to take charge, with Kevin Nolan assisting, because no-one was available from the Reebok backroom. Then the rains came and he reverted to Plan One - coaching his young son's team instead.

Brown is a firm supporter of players getting a taste of the other side of the game as early as possible because it widens their experience and knowledge of the game.

He said: "None of the staff were available last Thursday to do the reserve fixture but Gary had been chomping at the bit. He wants to fulfil all his coaching certificates and has expressed a preference to go into management as opposed to coaching.

"I thought this would have been a chance to give him a little feel of the job. When I first mentioned it to the gaffer he wasn't too happy about it from a professional point of view because he thought we should be dealing with it.

"But we thought about it and the manager decided that being thrown in at the deep end would be a great way of learning, especially against United.

" I always go back to the days when I was a player and Bruce Rioch told me that the earlier you get your coaching badges, the better you'll play because you'll understand the game more. It gives you a great insight that you don't get as a player.

"Gary is one of those Peter Pans who looks like he's going to play until he's 40 so what better chance of giving him a taste of what it's like on the other side by putting him in charge of a game like this. And, going back to what Bruce said, we've also talked to Kevin Nolan about getting his coaching badges to increase his experience off the field as well as on it. He jumped at the chance to work alongside Gary at the reserve game.

"The game was called off but we'll give one or two of our senior professionals the opportunity to take the Reserves if they want it."

Speed said: "I'd like to stay in the game in some capacity but I can't say I'm going to be a manager one day. You don't know how things will work out so I'll concentrate on playing.

"I've done my B coaching certificate and have to organise getting my A badge now. I'm still training well and feel a lot younger than 35. But I'm taking things on board for later on.

"I don't know whether or not I'll be good at things like man-management until I'm put in the position.

"But I've had that responsibility as captain of Wales and it was flattering when players said they wanted me to have the job when Mark Hughes left.

"I've watched the ways different managers do things but the way Bolton go about things has really opened my eyes since I came here and they may extend my playing career.

"We do Tai-chi stretching exercises which is a fairly new thing. I do it as often as I can before and after training. It's good and it works. We do a lot of work in training here to prevent injuries. The game has come on so much since I started. If I'd done then what I do now, I'd play until I was 50!

"I jumped at the chance to take the Reserves against United but I was disappointed the game was called off. But hopefully there will be another chance."